SAF IG visits Team Dover

by Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

1/16/2014 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Sequestration and budget constraints have brought a lot of changes to the Air Force in recent months and one of the areas affected is the Air Force inspection system.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Mueller, Secretary of the Air Force Inspector General, visited Team Dover to address those changes during an all-call Jan. 14, 2014, at the Base Theater on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Lt. Gen. Mueller spoke on a number of different topics, but his focus was on bringing about what he calls a culture of change when it comes to the Air Force inspection system.

"We are resistant to change," Lt. Gen. Mueller said. "We are part of an organization that is powered by innovation, but we don't like to change. I know that this is a cultural change. I want to see that it takes root."

The new inspection system, which went into effect last June, has eight goals. They are: teach Airmen to report problems accurately, align authority and responsibility of wing commanders, focus staffs on assisting versus assuring, stop "micro-managing" the Air Force with AFIs, really embrace continuous improvement, enable "data-based" decisions, inspect the entire Air Force and focus effort on mission effectiveness, not inspection readiness.

Mission effectiveness is what Lt. Gen. Mueller wants to be the focus of the new inspection system.

"If you focus on mission effectiveness that proves you are inspection ready," Lt. Gen. Mueller said. "We're trying to get rid of things that are not beneficial to the mission. We want Airmen to know your job, do your job and tell us when you can't do your job."

Col. Randy Huiss, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander, said Lt. Gen. Mueller's visit was a success.

"We are pleased Lt. Gen. Mueller came to Dover to talk to our Airmen directly, letting them know his vision for the future of Air Force inspections and the role they will be expected to play," Col. Huiss said. "He also provided an opportunity for our Airmen to ask questions, getting feedback and guidance, so they could better understand where they fit within the new system."

Lt. Gen. Mueller said the key to the success of the implementation of the new inspection system will be getting everyone to believe in the system.

"That's the challenge, getting everyone, particularly leaders to the 'I believe' level," Lt. Gen. Mueller said. "It will get better as current commanders grow into the program. It's going to take time to mature."